Hasankale, 2 October 1924

"Gazi made an inspection tour in the earthquake area today. At eight o'clock in the morning, with the Governor, the Corps Commander, and his entourage, he set off from Erzurum. He visited the Pasinler district and villages that were most damaged by the earthquake. He reached Hasankale at 10 am. All the people welcomed Gazi with extraordinary honorific demonstrations."

On behalf of the townspeople, a boy from the Boys' Sample School delivered the following fluently, impressively:

God be with you. May the greatest of the prophets be your mercy, our Gazi Pasha..."

Gazi received information from the people about the damage caused by the earthquake in Hasankale. He talked about the aid that should be done before the winter. It was very sincere and pathetic for Gazi to wander among the ruins.

They assured with tears that by seeing the President among them, they forgot all their troubles and that they would resist all kinds of pain.

He spoke to the public at length. He returned to Erzurum in the evening.

Source:  A A M Atatürk’te Çocuk Sevgisi, Cemil Sönmez, 2004 Yılı, ISBN: 975-16-1746-4, Sayfa: 67-68